“Hey, Nerys! Nerys Trude!”

Abelus involuntarily stopped his steps. The voice, filled with frustration as if it would tear apart, made his ears itch. A small girl appeared, crossing the snowy courtyard between the grand mansion’s columns.

She wore a crimson velvet coat and sleek black shoes. Bright blonde hair flowed out from the hood attached to the coat, shining like winter sunshine.

It was a luxurious outfit, but according to Abelus’s standards as a prince, it wasn’t much different from the ‘shabby’ attire the owner would wear. However, at least this attire brought a different atmosphere than when the owner wore a ‘simple’ outfit.

The gesture of stopping and smoothly turning around in response to her own name being called was strangely pleasant.

Abelus didn’t realize it, but the elegant and uncluttered movements were something that could be taught by an etiquette teacher in the royal court. Those closest to him since childhood walked, stood, and turned around like that, making it comfortable for him to watch.

‘Someone from one of the noble families.’

Although Abelus had certainly scanned the important figures in each grade, his body, devastated by the failed ritual, was the Crown Prince. Therefore, he usually half-forgot about the 1st-year students who were not even part of the high nobility.

Soon, a red-haired girl approached the blonde girl energetically. Abelus knew her, definitely. He couldn’t remember her name, but she was undoubtedly the daughter of Countess Islani.

He had also heard news that Countess Islani was pressuring Countess Berta, complaining about conflicts between their children. Countess Berta cherished her daughter.

Countess Islani might also have something to say, but Countess Berta was wealthier and had more influence, so Islani could do nothing but yield.

“What’s the matter?”

Nerys Trude responded without any sign of being intimidated, even in front of a girl taller than herself. Upon hearing her voice, Abelus remembered who she was.

A relative of the Elendria family. The child who, with unprecedented achievements, took classes from upper-grade students. The one that Nellusian is interested in.

Now that he thought about it, it was interesting. Come to think of it, there were also two girls in the student council room.

Abelus now began to consider the possibility of a conflict between the Elendria family and the Islani family in the trivial squabbles between the two 1st-year girls.

Countess Islani was cold to her children compared to Countess Berta. And if something happened, Nellusian would be the first to intervene. Therefore, the possibility of a significant problem arising seemed small.

“Don’t know? Why were you just standing there earlier? Is it better to do it alone than pair up with me? Other than Diane, you have no friends!”

“Are you talking about the dance class earlier?”

“Yeah! I had to dance alone because of you! You pretended your ankle hurt, and now you’re walking just fine! Do you know how embarrassed I was in front of everyone?”

Ah, Abelus, who vaguely understood what she was talking about, already felt his interest waning.
In the dance class, there was no student who wanted to partner with Countess Islani’s daughter, and even Trude, the last hope, seemed to have declined, making excuses.

The 1st-year students this time were really noisy, and there were already a couple of students who had complained to the teachers, saying they were being ‘bullied.’

In any grade, there were always students who felt excluded, and Abelus had no interest in such problems. He just hoped they could resolve it among themselves without the matter reaching the student council.

To make eye contact with the taller girl, Nerys slightly raised her hood. Then, her delicate appearance, like pottery, caught Abelus’s eyes from afar.

Her cold and firm expression looked strangely comfortable to Abelus. It was familiar, where had he seen it… Right!

‘It’s Princess Kemille.’

It was a strange occurrence. Camille Visto had received the best education as the royal princess and thought of everyone outside the direct royal family as mere tools. What common ground could there be between the proud princess and a knight’s daughter?

Undoubtedly, Abelus must have seen it wrong. He thought trivially and passed by. Nerys’s calm voice gradually faded away behind him.

“Back then, it seemed like my ankle hurt, but around the end of the class, it didn’t hurt anymore. Is that a problem? You don’t say anything about other kids not wanting to dance with you, but you only come to me like this. Is it because I’m the easiest to deal with? Maybe the reason kids don’t like you is that you’re so unfair? Alexto, think for yourself…….”

⭐️⭐️⭐️

As the midterm exams for the second semester approached, the students’ discussions naturally shifted to grades.